If you’ve camped before, you may have noticed that staying clean at camp is harder than when you’re back at home. This is usually because there aren’t as many cleaning resources at camp – there’s a limited supply of water and many other things.
The activities carried out at camp also cause dirtiness. For example, hiking in the sun can make you sweat profusely, and sitting around a campfire also makes your clothes smell.
Regardless of these factors that facilitate dirtiness, you can still keep yourself reasonably clean. By knowing how to stay clean while camping, you can protect yourself from sickness and infections.
Clean Camping While on a Campsite
Following the steps below will make the experience a lot better. Here are some helpful tips for you:
1. Get a Camping Shower
Camping showers are among the equipment made to provide campers with added comfort. You can purchase a quality camping shower before leaving home.
There are different options with unique designs to choose from. It’s best to go with a compact design that won’t inconvenience you.
We would recommend the camping showers with solar design. These ones are quite versatile – they are able to heat up water for a warm bath.
The heating element is powered by a solar panel unit. Just position it where it can receive sufficient sun rays and power up.
2. Have Clean Clothes with You
The more change of clothes you have, the cleaner you get to be. However, not everyone can pack many clothes for their camping trip. Those who are going for a backpacking exercise usually take just a few clothes.
You should understand that clothes need to be changed after being worn a few times. This is because we sweat in them during camping activities and other dirt or debris stick to the clothes. Refusal to change such dirty clothes can facilitate the development of rashes and infections.
The safest practice would be having sufficient clean clothes to change into daily. Your underwear especially shouldn’t be repeated. Pack enough underwear for each individual day.
3. Don’t Wear Clothes Made of Cotton
Wearing the right clothing material is part of staying clean while camping. During camping exercises that cause profuse sweating, avoid putting on cotton shirts.
Cotton has the ability to store up sweat and consequently cause bacterial growth. Also, when cotton has stored up moisture, it can lower body temperature.
During sweaty exercises, swap cotton material with synthetic material. Unlike cotton, these ones are usually able to remove and dry off sweat. Wool is also a good substitute for cotton.
4. Put a Tarp Under Your Tent
Nobody wants to sleep in a tent with a messy floor. However, if the right precautions aren’t taken, your tent floor can end up being very dirty.
With the help of a big tarp, you can make your tent floor neater and more enjoyable. Spread the tarp evenly across the floor and it will keep dirt from entering your living space.
5. Use Biodegradable Soap
You must be conscious of the soap used to wash at camp.
Soaps or detergents packed with potent chemicals can cause damage to plant and animal life in the wild. Purchase some biodegradable soap instead and bring with you to camp.
Your choice of biodegradable soap should be a multifunctional one – being able to wash the body, dirty dishware, and also dirty clothes. Get it in a size that won’t inconvenience you.
6. Decide on a Day to Do Laundry
Depending on how long you’ll be camping for, you may need to have a laundry day. That’s a specific day set aside to wash all your dirty clothes, dishware, and other camping equipment.
Make sure you pack some environment-friendly soap. You’ll also need to find a nearby water source.
Before leaving home for camp, do your research and try to locate any flowing rivers near the campsite. Such moving bodies of water are better used as a source for clean water.
7. Try the Alpine Bath
If you’re able to locate an alpine river near your campsite, that would be awesome.
Grab hold of your biodegradable soap and get into the river for a clean scrub. If the weather is too cold, you may want to wait till it gets warmer outside.
In addition to bathing, the water provided by the alpine river can be used for washing clothes, dishes, and dirty equipment. The alpine river may be deep or shallow; depending on which it is you may be able to take a swim or just stand knee-deep for a good scrub.
Things would be most convenient if the river is close to your tent. You can even fetch extra water into your reserve containers.
8. Use a Sleeping Bag Liner
Without a sleeping bag liner, you won’t get as much warmth.
However, in addition to a lack of enough warmth, your sleeping bag will also get dirty quickly. This is usually because sweat and oils from your body soak easily into the sleeping bag whenever a liner isn’t used.
To avoid that, get yourself a sleeping bag liner to keep the insides of your sleeping bag clean and breathable always.
Final Thoughts
After participating in various camping activities, your body and clothes get dirty. Sweat soaks into your cloth’s fabric and mud from trails stick to your body and gear.
It’s important to get yourself cleaned after such exercises. If you fail to do so, you may end up having bad rashes and skin infections.
With the right knowledge on how to stay clean while camping, you can manage resources and combat dirt. Remember to locate a flowing river close to your campsite.
The river will serve as a source of clean water for your bathing and other washing activities.
If you have any question regarding staying clean while camping and you need more help, you can reach out to us through the comments section below.